Self Care Is The Best Care

"You can't pour from an empty cup."

That quote really resonates with me. If you, as a person, are empty, drained, your battery is on five percent, how can you share yourself with others?

If you are consistently busy working and make no time for yourself, how can you continue to give your all to others when all of you isn't even there? I’m talking about self care, people!

self·care // activities and practices we engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and enhance our well-being

I know first-hand what it means to be busy and always werking. I'm a 23 year old mother and fiancee', going to school full time, working part-time, I have bills to pay and a house to maintain. I am always on the move. I've had to learn to really slow down and regroup myself before I proceed. I'll be the first to admit that I try to pour that last imaginary drop from the bottom of my cup. Pretty soon, you get worn down. Don't let your crack or break to the point of no return. Use these tips to help you take care of yourself in the midst of all your hardworking.

Eat Healthy, Wholesome foods

Your body does a lot for you. It maintains your body temperature, fight off infections, stops cuts from bleeding by healing itself from the inside out, all without you ever really noticing it. You should treat it well by eating healthy, wholesome foods that are nutritious. This is something I've learned recently and I've traded the chips for nuts and the pop for water. If you nourish your body, it will run in tip-top shape, enhancing your overall well-being.

Exercise

Goes hand in hand with good eating. Exercising for an hour only takes up 4 percent of your day. You don't have to go hard in the paint. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator is a small but great step to start being more active. Your body will thank you for it.

“Treat Yo Self”

All that hard work has to pay off somehow, right? Occasionally, it's ok to indulge in yourself and reward yourself for all your hard work. Go get your nails done, buy that top you've wanted. It doesn't have to cost a whole lot of money either. Relaxing in a nice bath with aromatherapy candles lit and some wine is a great way to unwind...

Catch up on sleep

We all know how much sleep we're supposed to get; the "experts" tell us all the time. Most of us don't so I'm not going to tell you to do that because that might be unrealistic. I am going to tell you to know when its time to take a break and sleep on it. There's always tomorrow, they say. (But don't procrastinate!).

Keeping a journal

Keeping a journal ensures that your thoughts aren't trapped inside if you have no one to talk to. Also, you can write down your goals, keep gratitude entries and just overall keep track of your unfiltered thoughts written on tangible paper. It's also nice to go back and see how far you've come from past entries.

Question of The Session

These are five tips that have helped me while I'm constantly on the grind. Have you tried any of these tips? Do you have any self-care tips that works for you that isn't on this list? Let's have a conversation in the comments!

Author Lauren | Editorial Intern

My name is Lauren Betts, I’m 23 years old and I’m a senior at Cleveland State, majoring in Communications. I have a four-year-old daughter named Carter and I'm engaged to my fiance', Robert. I love to read, listen to music, and relaxing with my little family. I'm also all about everything beauty. After Graduation, my hope is to get into the arts and culture scene in marketing.